Machine for slotting- telephone ahd telegraph poles



Nov. 9,1926. 1 1,606,058

C. R. CHURCHMAN MACHINE FOR SLOTTING TELEPHQNE AND TELEGRAPH POLES Filed June 26, 1925 Nov. 9, teas.

CHARLES R. CHURCHMAN, OF SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA.

IEACHINE FOR SLOT'IING TELEPl-IGNE AND TELEGRAPH PQLEfi Application filed June 26, 1925. Serial No 39,843.

My invention relates to a machine which, while capable of other uses, is particularly intended for dapping telephone and telegraph poles, that is, transversely slotting such poles to receive, as is usual, wire supporting cross arms, my object, generally speaking, being to provide a labor saving machine for this and similar purposes which is simple and compact in construction, relatively cheap and easy to produce, and through the instrumentality of which poles may be clapped with rapidity and facility.

vVith the foregoing and other purposes in view, my invention consists inthe novel features of construction, combination and an rangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings anddeiined in the appended claims.

In the drawings, wherein like characters of reference denote corresponding parts in the different views Figure 1 is a view partly in section and partly in side elevation of a clapping machine embodying the novel and essential features of my invention;

Figure 2, an end elevation of the machine shown in Figure 1; and

Figure 3, a section on the line 33 of Figure 1.'

teferring to the drawings in detail, designates a horizontal drive shaft supported in any suitable manner above a suitable frame 1.1, carrying oneor more rollers 12 on which a telephone or telegraph pole 13 adapted to rest while transverse slots let are being formed therein.

Supported on shaft 10 is a housing 15 which is both slidable along and rotatable with respect to said shaft and has affixed thereto and depending therefrom a tube 16 over the lower end portion of which is slidably engaged a second tube 17 having affixed thereto a housing 18 carrying suitable bearings in which is mounted a horizontal shaft 19 one end of which projects outwardly of said housing and is equipped with a gang saw 20. One or more coil springs 21, each secured at one end to tube 16 and at the other end to tube 17, normally urges tube 17 and consequently saw 20 to its uppermost limit of movement with respect to tube 16, while a lever 22 for rotating a pinion 23 supported by tube 17 and engaging rack teeth 24 on tube 16 provides a convenient means of forcing said tube 17 and consequently saw 20 downward against the force of the spring or sprmgs21 to move said saw into engagement with a pole support-- ed on the roller or rollers '12. Keyed to =9 shaft 10 so as to be rotatable therewith, but shdable along the same is a bevel gear 25 which meshes with a similar gear 26 atiixed to a hollow shaft 27 mounted in a suitable bearing 28 and extending downward into tube 16. Engaged within hollow shaft 27 is a solid shaft 29 which extends downwardly into tube 17 and housing 18 and within said The operation of my machine is apparent and as follows: A pole 13 to be clapped is positioned on roller or rollers 12 beneath saw 20 which is held normally in an elevated position by springs 21. l/Vith shaft 10 rotating so as to rotate saw 20 through the gears 25, 26, shafts 27, 29 and gears 30, 31, handle 22 is grasped and swung downwardly, thereby moving tube 17 downwardly and forcing saw 20 into the pole so as to cut therein a slot 14, the saw, if desired, being swung transversely across the pole 13 about the axis of shaft 10 as a pivot during cutting of the slot to facilitate such operation. W hen one slot has been out in the pole either the pole is moved longitudinally over the roller or rollers 12 to presentto the saw a new portion thereof to be slotted, or the mechanism as a whole is moved longitudinally along shaft 10 to accomplish the same purpose without moving the pole.

The foregoing, it is believed, explains my invention in a manner which will enable others skilled in the art to make and use the same. I desire to point out,'however, the detail structural characteristics of my invention as herein shown may be modified in various respects within the spirit and scope of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A machine of the class described in cluding a drive shaft, a saw supported by movement said shaft for swinging movement with respect thereto, said saw being movable 1ongitudinally along said shaft and towards and away from the same, and a constant driving connection between said shaft and said saw, said connection being formed entirely of a train of shafts and gears.

52. A machine of the class described including a drive shaft, a housing carried by said shaft, a tube depending from said housing', a second tube telescopically engaged over said first mentioned tube, a housing carried by said second mentioned tube, a saw carryin shaft journaled in said last mentioned housing, a spring connected at one end to one of said tubes and at its other end to the other 01" said tubes normally holdin said tubes at their limit of inward with respect to one another, means for moving said tubes outwardly with respect to one another, and a constant driving connection between said drive shaft and said saw carrying shaft.

3. A machine of the class described inciuding a drive shaft, a housing mounted on said shai't, a tube depending from said housing', rack teeth on said tube, a second tube telescopically engaged over-said first mentioned tube, a pinion carried by said second mentioned tube engaging said rack teeth, means for rotating said pinion to move said second mentioned tube longitudinally in one direction with respect to said first tube,

.ineans constantly urging said second men tioned tube in an opposite direction wlth respect to said first tube, a saw carried by said second mentioned tube, and a constant driving connection between said shaft and said saw.

Intestimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature. a

- GHAHLES R. CHURCHMAN. 

